Fear By StormyNite Written in June of 1999 This is a 3rd season story; not related to any others I've written. I don't own Nick, Nat, Tracy, Vachon and the General but I just love to play with them. Yes, you read that right; Vachon is in this one. I do write them that way sometimes. This story is written for entertainment purposes only and no copyright infringements are intended. You must see end part ?/? to have a complete section. Many thanks to Mary Lou Manzie and Katherine Robert for keeping me in line on this one. All comments are welcome at Stormy's place linked on my signature file at the end of each section. Part 4 will be shipped under an ADULT header. If you aren't on Adult settings, email me direct with an honest age statement and I'll mail it directly to you. The entire story will be available on my web page after the final chapter is posted and Mel's fiction page. Enjoy! Part 1 He walked slowly around the yellow tape, trying to get a glimpse of anything noteworthy. Jeremiah Colburn's dark brown eyes and sandy blond hair blended in with the crowd as he worked his way around the perimeter. He could see the bodies from a distance, but his favorite detective wasn't working tonight. As a reporter, he always made sure he became well acquainted with the police for inside information. This was the 3rd murder inside of 2 weeks in the south end of town. What was going on? According to Hendrick's, they were calling in a special team from metro if another murder showed up with the same MO. So Jeremiah watched and waited looking for unfamiliar faces. The ME hadn't arrived yet, and Jeremiah was hoping that he might catch a glimpse of her. He'd asked enough questions to know that the best ME in the province was none other than Dr. Natalie Lambert, old classmate and study partner in undergraduate school. It hadn't surprised him to learn she'd done so well as such an early age, because he always knew her hard work and no-nonsense approach to life would land her in a position that would make her excel. He was a bit surprised to find it turned out to be forensic science, but then again, Natalie never had time for the frivolous things of life and forensics was a gigantic jigsaw puzzle without a guideline. When he thought about it, somehow it fit her personality perfectly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an unfamiliar car pull up and a petite auburn haired woman stepped under the tape. He couldn't see her face, but her hair was unmistakable. It had to be Natalie. Jeremiah floated back to undergraduate days and smiled. How many times had he wanted to run his hands through that mane of hair, only she'd never given him any indication of anything other than friendship. After several implied and subtle questions, he resigned himself to just being that...her friend. She started to work immediately and Jeremiah noticed she'd become even more beautiful than he'd remembered. He only hoped she remembered him as fondly. A green 62 Caddy pulled up and two blond detectives stepped out of the car. He knew they were detectives as the young blonde woman flashed a badge at the officer and he lifted the tape. They must be the special team Hendrick's talked about from Metro. Jeremiah watched them meticulously search the area, chat with several members of the attachment as they avoided the crime scene while Natalie worked on the body. Nick finished the preliminaries and headed for Natalie, who knelt over the victim pulling samples from under the body. She'd only just arrived a few minutes before them and they'd not been filled in until they got here. South had been keeping a tight lid on this one, until yesterday. Nick shook his head in disbelief. He, Tracy and Nat were now the official 'spook squad'. If it was weird, strange, cultist, or anything out of the realm of normal homicide...it was their baby. Just what they needed...more work. Nat studied the wound carefully and pulled fibers out of the blood matted around the wound. She'd already bagged the hands, but this was not going to make it to the lab intact, so she pulled as many of the pieces as she could. The warm sensations she always felt when Nick was near told her he was close. She smiled at the thought. When had she started noticing that? She relaxed and pushed into the feeling and it increased as he came closer. She would have to ask him about it later. "Hi, Nat!" Nick said as he knelt down beside her. He hadn't glanced at the body yet, only Nat's beautiful hair. It was all he could do to keep from running his hands through it. Finally, he turned and glanced at the body. Quickly, he turned the girl's lifeless face to him for a better view and he groaned. Nat waited for his first reaction. She needed to make sure, before she went off on a tangent in the wrong direction. "Do you know her?" Nick stared at the hole in the girl's chest and his mind flashed back to several centuries before. Fear etched his face when he locked eyes with Natalie. "I need to get you out of here now!" Nick grabbed her elbow and stood them both up. "What are you talking about, Nick. I can't leave the scene. I just got here and we were called in special for this. Apparently she is number three...one man and two women. They've all been stabbed with a wooden stake." She watched the fear in his eyes and was confused. She'd not seen him this upset since the little ghost incident several months ago, only this was worse. "Nick, what is going on?" She whispered. "This woman isn't a vampire, so why would someone stake her like one...and..." She knelt down and rolled the woman's neck to one side. "She has vampire marks on her neck. They aren't fresh, but they are still bite marks. What's going on? I thought the marks healed in a couple of days from you guys." She tried to be patient, but Nick was becoming more agitated by the moment and searching the crowd religiously with his vampire vision. "Nick!" Natalie had to grab his arm to get his attention once more. "She's a close mortal associate, lover if you will, of one of the younger vampires I've seen at the Raven. I've seen her there several times and each time she was heading toward the back room." He waited for her to catch the drift of his statement without him having to go into detail. "I don't understand, Nick. I thought you said mortals and vampires couldn't make love without the mortal dying." She tried to bank the anger that was building, but wasn't having an easy time of it. Nick grabbed her arm and led her away from the body and prying ears. "It's much more complicated than that. Let's just say that the fact that her wounds haven't healed means she's a regular customer of a very greedy vampire. It has nothing to do with love or emotion on his part or he wouldn't be back so often. It's sex! He's been using her for his own self- gratification, both physically and with her blood. If he'd truly cared for her, he'd have left her alone or lost control and killed her. She's like an appetizer and he's warming up for the main course. He's letting her get hooked on the feeling of euphoria that he controls in the process." "You mean he's been taking just a little to get her hooked on the feel of it, so he can eventually kill her?" She asked incredulously. Nick looked guilty and held his head in disgust as he mouthed the word "yes," softly. "But I don't understand, Nick. Why are you so nervous? Do you know something I don't'?" "If all the others were like this one, Nat. We are in trouble. I've got to check something out. I want you to promise me you'll go straight home after you finish work tonight and don't leave alone. Take several people with you. Better yet, ride with the body and the two attendants. I'll make sure your car gets back." He looked at her with worried eyes. "Okay, okay, Nick. I'll ride with Ben and Harvey, but I expect some answers tonight before you go home. So you'd better show up at my place or I'm coming to yours. Understand?" Nick leaned over and kissed her forehead without thinking of watching eyes. It was such a natural thing to do. When he pulled away, he realized his mistake. It must have shown on his face. "It couldn't be that bad, Nick." He touched her face and slid his thumb down her cheek softly as the fear returned as huge ball in the bit of his stomach. "You're right...It's worse! Promise me you won't be alone." She studied him closely before she answered. There were too many questions, but she understood fear all too well. "I promise, Nick." She whispered. Part 2 Jeremiah watched the blond cop escort Natalie to the side. After studying them intensely from a distance, he watched the gentle touch and look of concern in the man's eyes. Something was going on...and they were more than just friends. Jeremiah waited for the scene to clear a little bit, then he managed to work his way to the body wagon with the coroner's emblem stuck on the side. She would eventually show up here. "I'm done here, Harvey. You can load her up. I'm riding with you guys back to the morgue, so don't leave without me." Harvey turned surprised eyes towards hers. "Don't ask...just don't leave without me. Okay?" Harvey nodded and started bagging the body. Natalie walked over to Captain Morris from South and filled him in on what she knew. Jeremiah watched as they loaded the body, then waited patiently as Natalie headed toward them. She stared at him intently, trying to place the face. He knew instantly when she remembered. "Jeremiah?" Nat smiled as she spoke. "Is that really you?" Jeremiah walked over and hugged her. "Yes, it's me. I was in town for a few days, and staying at the hotel across the park. When I saw all the lights, that reporter's instinct kicked in. I just couldn't stand myself and when I saw you pull up, I had to wait and say hello." He released her and stood back to take her all in. "You look wonderful. This job must agree with you." He waited for her to fill him in. "Thanks, Jeremiah. You look great too. Are you in town for business or pleasure?" She asked hopefully. They'd spent many a pleasant hour going over their different approaches to finding answers. Jeremiah eventually turned to journalism and Natalie went into forensics. Apparently from the cut of Jeremiah's suit and the expensive overcoat he carried on his arm, he'd been successful. "A bit a both, I'm afraid, but that's another story. Can I buy you a cup of coffee or maybe dinner and we could play catch- up?" He asked hopefully and turned on that polished charm he'd used so many times in the past successfully. "Nice try, Jeremiah, and you've really improved your technique, but alas I've got customers waiting and some very anxious Captains waiting for answers. I will take a rain check for breakfast sometime if you're up that early. I usually get off around 5 or 6 in the morning." She smiled because she knew Jeremiah was a day person. Jeremiah groaned, then grabbed her hand. "You always knew how to keep me at arm's length, didn't you?" Gently, he kissed the back of her hand. "Well, it's not working this time. Breakfast it is. Where do I pick you up?" He watched the surprise spread across her face, then a smile. Yes, some things never changed. They were still the same competitive pair they always were. Nat thought for a moment. Nick was really concerned over her being alone, so maybe this was a blessing after all. "Okay, Jeremiah. Pick me up at the morgue at 5 and we'll do breakfast, catch up on our lives and you can drive me home. How's that?" "Perfect!" He squeezed her hand gently and smiled into her bright blue eyes. "See you then." He waved goodbye and disappeared into the crowd as Natalie slid in-between Harvey and Ben and headed back to the morgue. -------------- They stood side by side as they watched the proceeding. Not really part of the crowd, but not separate either. They'd learn their trade well and blended in with minimal effort. All the time watching, listening, feeling everything around them. There was much more work to be done. Only occasionally would they lean over and speak to each other. -------------- Nick searched the area from the air, then expanded the perimeter and still found nothing. He was looking for anything unusual, or anyone standing off watching from a distance. Finally, giving up he headed for the Raven. The music blared loud enough to be heard a block away and Nick wondered how LaCroix could stand it. When he pushed open the door, he nodded at the bartender. His eyes traveled toward the back and the sound-booth. Nick headed for the back without waiting to be announced. He closed the outer door and could hear LaCroix talking live on the air with a fan. Nick waited in the outer area, agitated, and let his mind drift back several hundred years. *********** It was the second village they'd been in where the taverns and houses were bolted tight. No one walked the street. Hunting had been sparse as he and LaCroix dismounted and listened for any tell tale sign of life. Heartbeats were erratic and very loud throughout the city, but no one answered their doors. Finally, they took their quest to the stable. They pounded on the door to no avail and eventually forced the lock. At least the horses would have a meal tonight...one way or another. Blood and something else assailed their senses as they stepped through the door. Nick stepped back and avoided the attack just as the vampire launched himself into the air. LaCroix simply batted him away like an insect, tossing him roughly into the hard ground. Nick picked him up by the collar and flashed fangs at the stupid creature before him in disgust. "What have you done?" Nick held him tightly in his grasp as LaCroix knelt over the still form of the young woman lying dead on the straw with a wooden stake protruding from her chest. Silently, the ancient vampire ran his finger through the blood on her lifeless arm and brought it too his lips. Instant understanding washed over him. "Release him, Nicholas!" LaCroix hissed loudly and stood. "He did not do this. I understand now. We are all in danger here. We must move on quickly, or end up like her." "What are you talking about, LaCroix?" Nick continued to hold the loathsome creature that had attacked them. "Tell him!" LaCroix commanded to the younger vampire flushed with fear in Nick's grasp. "I...I...I didn't hurt her. She was a friend...a...lover...they killed her because of me. They staked her because she'd been with me. They were after me, but she didn't break...well..." Guilt was written on his face. "Well, what?" Nick shook him harder in frustration and let the gold in his eyes glow. "Well, I didn't really let her know where I was staying. We were...I was...sampling her wares and she liked it. I was going to bring her across." The lie was written plainly on his face and it disgusted Nick. "Liar!" Nick tossed him across the room. LaCroix grabbed Nick's arm as he started to advance. "Enough, Nicholas. It's not as if you haven't dallied, sampled and gotten greedy with the ladies. It's our nature, but at least you had some class about it. Come we must go." LaCroix picked up his horse's reins. "LaCroix? What is going on?" Nick's confused gaze met his master's. "It's a cleansing. A very dangerous group of mortals...I have seen it before. They want our kind eliminated totally and they will kill anyone connected to us." LaCroix silently went back to the dead girl's still form on the straw covered ground. He pulled her hair away from her neck, showing the distinct bite marks of the vampire. "She bore his marks! That explains what is going on in the last two towns. Everyone is afraid to be mistaken. We must move on, quickly. I care not to be involved with the local problems." He stood and headed for the door once more. Nick stared at the stake in the woman's chest, then back at the young vampire on the floor. "I suggest you leave too, or face the consequences." He grabbed his horse and followed LaCroix out into the night. It was the first of many nights on the run. ************* Jeremiah knocked softly on the door of the morgue. He was a little early, but that was intentional. He wanted to know if the latest victim was like the others. This was perfect. "Come in." Nat said distractedly as she finished closing the chest cavity. She was almost done and nothing had changed her diagnosis unless it would be the blood sample. She'd taken a small peek under the microscope looking for the vampire gene, but only found what she thought was curare. She'd know for certain when the tox reports came back. The girl had been mortal. Although she was a bit short on blood, she bore none of the vampire gene. She'd been poisoned with curare, then staked. It was a blatant warning to those who understood the weakness of a vampire that they were next. Nat was so engrossed she didn't notice Jeremiah walk into the room. "I always knew you were intense about your work, Nat, but it could be dangerous to be this intense." Jeremiah had watched intently for a full 2 minutes and not once did she seem to notice. So he stepped closer to get a better look at the body. He could see the bite marks on her neck from 3 feet away. Nat jumped and dropped the suture needle when he spoke. "Jeremiah?" She squeaked, startled by his presence. "I didn't hear you come in." Her face flamed red and she quickly covered the body, then she was more in control. "You're early." She glanced at the clock on the wall, noting it was only a little after 4 am. "I don't get off until 5 you know." She smiled professionally. Jeremiah looked at his feet quickly and tried to look embarrassed, but then decided against it. "Sorry, Natalie. I told security I was your ride home. I'm bad I know, but I just couldn't squelch that reporter's curiosity. I wanted to know if she was like the others they'd found." His eyes traveled over the covered body before him. "I see she bears the bite marks as the others did. Was her blood laced with curare?" He asked calmly, hoping she'd answer. Nat peeled off her gloves and tossed them in the trash, then eyed his cautiously. "Okay, Jeremiah...Out with it. You obviously are here for more than breakfast and that 'go for the throat' mentality you've always had seems to have gotten stronger since the last time we met. Just what is it you think has happened to this girl?" Nat waited to hear his version and refused to put ideas into his already too inquisitive mind. "I think she was killed as a warning to the community." He said calmly waiting for her reaction. "Let me get this straight. You think some weirdo is trying to send a message to the Toronto public that they can poison and kill anyone, anywhere, anytime?" She waited and held her breath. Maybe he didn't really know about the community. She wouldn't put words into his mouth. "No...not quite. She's a warning to the vampire community here in Toronto, not the general public." He walked over and pulled the sheet back to expose the young girl's neck. "Her lover is next, if that's what you want to call him." Jeremiah's eyes held no doubt. "Great!" Nat pulled the sheet back over the girl. "Just what the police need. Another person who believes in the occult, vampires, goblins, and ghosts. Let me get this straight. You honestly believe there are creatures out there that live only in the darkness, drink blood and can be killed by wooden stakes? Now I will admit the girl was staked and she was a few quarts low, but since she bled all over the ground, it's to be expected. The marks on her neck are quite old. The scar tissue indicates maybe even several years." Jeremiah pulled the sheet back again. "They are only a few days old, Natalie, and somehow I think you already know that. You are way too perceptive not to have picked up all the similarities in the victims." Nat glared at Jeremiah. "First of all, Jeremiah, this is the first body I've seen. Second of all, I don't believe in the undead. Third of all, this is a police investigation and you have no legal right to be here." She jerked the sheet from his hand. "I suggest you go home, Jeremiah, and leave the investigative work to the police. We'll find the wacko who is doing this." She walked over and sat down at her computer, then glanced up at him standing before her with her professional mask in place. "I think I'll pass on breakfast now. I'd say it was good to see you again, but I have this real aversion to being used. Enjoy your stay in Toronto." She started typing and ignored his puzzled look. "You don't know what you have here, Nat." He snorted and headed out the door. The door closed behind him as he slammed his hand on the nearest wall in frustration. That hadn't gone at all like he planned. Part 3 Nick paced the floor in the loft and waited. LaCroix had been way too evasive and he could feel the tension within his ancient master. Nick had spoken to several of the normal patrons to find that 3 members had already disappeared. He ran the pictures of the previous victims past Alma and a few others. They were all connected to the Raven and the community. Half of the community was packing, the other half were angry enough to go on the hunt. Either way, it was bad news. He heard the lift kick on and Natalie's familiar heartbeat. She was alone and that frightened him more than he cared to admit. He glanced out of the window and noticed the marked car pulling around the corner and a breathed a sigh of relief. She had trusted him without an explanation. The thought warmed his heart, but didn't lessen his anxiety. Nat walked into the room and tossed her jacket over the back of the chair. She watched him stare out the window and knew what he watched. "I did as you asked and had Harry and Jake drop me off." When he turned to meet her gaze, gold dusted his eyes. She gasped and ran to his side. "What is it, Nick? Tell me what's going on?" Without fear, she wrapped her arms around him and let her warmth envelop him in an effort to calm the beast. She felt so good, and he felt no fear from her. How could this be? She'd seen him at his worst and still she trusted him not to harm her. They both must be insane, especially now. Unable to stop himself, he welcomed her embrace and folded her into his arms. He buried his head in her hair and gave into the feelings she brought forth, as her scent washed over him. He would never be able to get enough of her. The thought scared him enough that he finally pushed her away. "I want you to take a leave, Nat. Go to the states, the beach, anywhere away from here. I don't want you in the middle of this." His eyes pleaded with hers as he ran his finger gently down her cheek." "Nick? I don't understand..." "I suggest you follow my son's suggestions, Doctor. " LaCroix's velvet voice caressed the room and Natalie was not immune to the ancient vampire's power. Nick pushed her behind him automatically to protect her. LaCroix glared at his insolent son and forced himself to remain calm. It would have been much easier to let them kill her, but the pricetag would be Nicholas. That was unacceptable. "She will get both of you killed, Nicholas." LaCroix hissed as he reined in his anger and gained control once more. "They target those of us who cater to mortals. It's only a matter of time before your name comes up...and THEY are searching." Nick pushed Natalie even further behind as he felt the anger wash through his master. His hatred for Natalie and their relationship had only grown since the incident at the Azure, but LaCroix was right. Natalie staying here would get them both killed. When LaCroix got his anger under control, Nicholas relaxed his position. Natalie felt it instantly. "You're certain it's more of them?" Nick watched for any indication from his father that there was doubt. "Will someone explain what is going on to me?" Nat pulled away from Nick in frustration. "A group of mortals that have special skills to feel our presence here. Their mission in life is to destroy all our kind and any mortal that aids us. Like it or not, Doctor, it will not take long for them to discover your close association to my son as well as your help in the fever epidemic. They will kill you as a warning to Nicholas that he is next." LaCroix eyed her closely for any reaction and was amazed at her control. "They are calling themselves the 'Death Squad' this time. They show no mercy and care nothing for our kind and even less for any mortal that has befriended us." He reined in his anger as he analyzed the woman before him. She did not scare easily, but then she hadn't seen the carnage these fanatics left behind. She would know fear just as others had over the centuries. These mortals with their innate ability to track them even in the daylight as they slept put fear in even the oldest of their kind. Even he was not immune. Natalie sensed a change in the ancient vampire and something else. Just for a moment, she thought she'd seen something close to fear in his eyes. She shook her head slightly to clear her thoughts, but still wasn't certain she'd been wrong. "What is it about them that frightens you so, LaCroix? Are they more than mortal?" Natalie questioned and waited for his denial. Anger flashed in his eyes and gold dusted the irises briefly. Nick pulled Nat back to his side. "Enough, LaCroix! The community owes Natalie and I'm going to make sure she's out of town before the night is over." "Be warned, Nicholas, I will not tolerate her tedious interference. There is not enough time and I will not lose my son because of his loyalty to a mere mortal. We hunt tonight and I expect you at my side. This is our home and I will not let them possess anything that is mine." He stared at Natalie and let the gold flash brightly in his eyes. "No one possesses what is mine...ever!" He disappeared before she could speak, leaving only the silence of the darkness that slowly enveloped the room. Nick pulled her into his arms and sighed with relief. He would not lose her to LaCroix or to the fanatics that ran free in their streets. No more running...it was time to end it. "I don't understand, Nick." She said muffled into his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him in comfort. Finally, he released her and stared into her bright blue eyes. "They are descendants of an ancient organization created to keep the balance of power equal. They are mortal, yet not when it comes to hunting vampires. Over the centuries they have recruited others like themselves who are sensitive to us. They search for our kind and any mortal who has befriended us. They have wiped out whole communities in the middle of the day without a blink of an eye. They neither question nor stop at nothing. Our powers are limited around some of them. We can't hypnotize them, nor fly away. They hold some power most mortals do not. They are fanatical and relentless. Their blood is poison to us, so killing requires more conventional methods. Since it is hard for most of my kind to mix in a mortal world, they have been very successful in the past. The killing of the mortals is meant as a warning and a scare tactic. They use the fear as a weapon to lessen their odds of us attacking back. It has worked very successfully in the past, but not this time. This time we have done nothing wrong and we're not leaving." Nick held her face in his hands. "That's why I need you to leave town. I don't want them connecting us or distracting me." He waited for her to read between the lines. "Say it, Nick." She whispered as her hands went to his still cupping her face. A single tear slid down her cheek and his thumb wiped it away gently. "You remember, don't you?" Nick's heart lurched into his stomach as he replayed Valentine's Day in his mind, the fear, the denial, and the facade he had to portray. Did she remember all those hateful words or just what he'd whispered after LaCroix left? He prayed she only remembered the words of love, not betrayal. "It won't change anything. It will only make it worse and..." Nick started to pull away. No, Nick!" She held onto him and refused to let him walk away. "I need to hear the words, and it can only make it better because we'll be stronger. I need to know..." She hesitated and watched his eyes. "Say the words you really mean, Nick. I can't go on this way. I don't want to pretend anymore." Another tear followed the last one and he was lost. He pulled her into his arms and let her cry as his heart broke. She remembered everything. How could she even trust him? What had he done to deserve her? He rubbed her back and held her so close that the warmth of her body made him feel almost alive. "Only God knows how much I love you, Natalie." He whispered into her ear as she wept into his shoulder. "Please don't cry. I only wanted to protect you, keep you safe from LaCroix and the beast within me. I'm so afraid I'll hurt you." A single blood tear escaped his eye as he buried his face in her hair in an effort to breathe in the only thing that gave him true comfort. "I want you so badly. I want you to love me and let me love you, but it will only get you killed." He pushed her off his shoulder and made her look deep into his blue eyes. "I wanted you to forget, so it wouldn't hurt you. So you could go on with your life, but...I..." She pressed her lips to his softly, then released them. "Don't protect me, Nick, just love me. If I know you love me, we can deal with all the rest. I just needed to know which words were what you felt. I was so confused. I felt so foolish, so ignorant. I didn't know how cruel he really was...and I probably still don't. I just need to know you..." His lips crushed hers, filled with a passion he'd kept at bay for far too long. She moaned as he delved every corner of her mouth with his tongue and deepened the kiss. Her body responded to his touch and melded into his, and he was lost in the feeling of pure lust laced with something much stronger than anything he'd ever experienced. Her warmth caressed him, cajoled him into accepting what was so freely offered and the vampire seemed appeased. Her hands wove through his silky hair as he broke the kiss and she pulled his lips back to hers. He wanted to love every inch of her. Before he knew what he was doing, he'd flown them to his bedroom. Quickly, he pushed open the door with his foot as his lips and hands wove a magic spell around her. Maybe he was wrong, but there was something magic between them they both craved, and he wouldn't fight it any longer. Her tongue tasted, swirled, and licked every crevice of his mouth until he too moaned in appreciation and need. She touched his fangs and they dropped involuntarily. He growled in frustration as he molded her body into his hard erection. Passion and heat cocooned her in a feeling of safety and love and she wanted more of it. His body was a perfect fit to hers and felt so good. Each touch was a promise, each caress a form of adoration, filled with need and she wanted nothing more than to complete what they'd started. She felt his fangs drop and the low growl in his chest. She knew the beast had been aroused from his cage. She whimpered in frustration, but common sense told her not to push him too far. He broke the embrace panting in need and fighting for control. She could feel the tension within him, and for the first time, she actually understood how much strength it took for him to be near her. She wanted nothing more than to jump his bones and make mad passionate love to him until he screamed her name in release, but it would kill them both. She knew that now. He laid his forehead on hers as he gasped for breath and fought the animal within him. "I'm sorry, Natalie." He panted as he struggled for control, then started to pull away. "No, Nick!" She pulled him back into her arms and held him close. "I love you, all of you and we can figure this out together." She refused to let go and held him tightly until his breathing became slower and finally almost ceased. Only then did she release him enough to look into her bright blue eyes. "Just hold me. Let me lie in your arms today and I'll get everything straightened out at the office tonight. I'll do what ever you want, Nick, as long as you come back to me." She kissed him softly on the lips and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I hope you know how hard this is for me. I never run away from a fight and I don't want to leave you alone in this." Lovingly he caressed her face with his cheek and pulled her back into his arms. "I have no idea what I did to deserve you. Know that it will take a whole lot more than a group of fanatics to keep me away from you...and I know exactly how hard this is for you. It would be the same for me if you asked me to leave in the middle of it, but know that it's the right things and I won't be distracted. Thank you, for being you." He stared into her blue eyes and saw not only love, but acceptance. "Tonight you are mine, tomorrow you fight for us to be together." She smiled more bravely than she felt and led him to the bed. He followed her down onto the sheets and spooned her body into his and they slept. Part 4 ADULT Jeremiah followed the brown sedan at a safe distance. First they stopped at the province record office, then the hardware store, a shabby warehouse, the metro police station and finally a bar called the Raven. Each time they took pictures, and went inside for a short period of time except at the Raven. The doors were locked securely and they seemed angry when they returned to the car. Finally, they drove to a computer store and Jeremiah watched them pay an attendant and disappear behind closed doors. Some two hours later they returned to their car and drove back to the hotel. Jeremiah entered the store and spoke briefly with the same attendant and kept increasing the offer until he was escorted to the backroom and the computer. Ten minutes later, he had all the information. The final picture on the screen bothered him more than he could say. The blond hair and blue eyes of Metro's star detective glowed on the screen and Jeremiah recognized the picture. He'd been right after all. Nat knew a whole lot more than she'd led him to believe. ------------- Tracy stopped by the church just a little after dusk. There had been no answer at Nick's or maybe he just wasn't answering the phone. He'd been known to do that on repeated occasions. She'd called the morgue for Natalie, but found she'd decided to take an unexpected trip to the states and would only be in later to tie up lose ends before she left for several weeks. Something was going on and Tracy didn't like it, so maybe Vachon was a place to start. She climbed the steps slowly and listened to the quiet melody that filtered through the air from the guitar and it's owner. Tracy never tired of listening to Javier play. He had a gift she wished he'd expand on. She stepped through the door as he finished the last verse. "So what's up?" Vachon questioned as he laid the guitar back in its case. "I was going to ask you the same question. I've got 3 dead bodies, all staked, a partner who has disappeared, and a ME that's taking an unexplained vacation...all in less than 24 hours. I thought you might have an idea." She raised a questioning eye and waited. "So let me get this straight. I'm suppose to know about any strange death in the city, the whereabouts of your partner and the personal habits of the city's ME? Is that right?" Vachon rose and turned his back to her as he headed for the small refrigerator in the back of the room. "Let's just say, the action at the Raven, this time of the evening is a little high and no one would look me straight in the eye including that famous bartender over there. They are nervous and preparing for something. I just want to know how it relates to these murders, which I'm sure it does. Most murderers use more modern weapons instead of wooden stakes...and they definitely don't use curare. So either fill me in on what you know or I'm going to go over there and raid the place with a full squad looking for suspects." Vachon pulled the cork on the bottle and drained it right before her, then licked his lips. Maybe he should tell her anyway. After all she would be in danger because of her close association to Knight and himself. "Sit down, Trace, and let me tell you a little story." ------------ Nick awoke to the slow steady heartbeat of Natalie lying sleeping in his arms. How many times had he dreamed of waking with her? Gently he pulled the curl out from her eyes and stared at her beautiful features as she slept peacefully in his arms. His perfect memory replayed every word they shared last night. His heart beat twice in succession when he remembered her words of love. She loved him, all of him and he would die before he let anything happen to her. "Care to share the memory?" She asked sleepily as she watched him closely. Nick pulled the rest of her hair away from her face with such tenderness and love, she almost cried. Instead she pulled the palm of his hand to her lips and kissed it. "I was just remembering how long I've dreamed of waking up with you in my arms." He continued to play with her hair as he stared into her eyes. "Reality is much more beautiful." "Thank you, my love." She pulled his lips to hers and tasted him for the first time that night. "I like the sound of that. If this is a dream, then I never want to wake up." He deepened the kiss and let his hands roam slowly over her warm body clad only in his black silk pajama top. Each taste was ambrosia, each touch a dream come to reality and he wanted more. He let his hands slip beneath the silky material to touch the satiny skin beneath. Natalie moaned in appreciation as his hand found her breast and kneaded softly. His lips wove a magic spell around her and she was lost to the feel and touch of the man she loved. This was not the time, but her body refused to listen. She arched into his touch and let her tongue trace the inner part of his lip. When his fangs dropped she caressed them slowly, sensually, until he growled and pulled her hard against him. His erection dug into her thigh and he rubbed it harder against her willing body. Logic told her to back away, but he felt so good. Just one taste of him would be enough. She nipped his lip and he growled again, pressing her harder into his stiff manhood and slowly rocking against her until her juices begin to flow. Blood welled on his lips. She sucked and licked it until he crushed her mouth back to his. Her hands pushed his silk bottoms over his hips in one swift movement, then ever so slowly, she cupped his scrotum in her hand. Unable to control the urges she brought forth in him, he sucked her lips while he pushed his hard shaft into her hand. How could this be wrong, when it felt so right? She wanted him as much as he did her. Sweet pain flooded his groin with a need he hadn't felt in centuries. Her hand caressed his stiff shaft and he grew harder and longer with each stroke, until he thought he'd go mad with need. Swiftly he pushed the silk pajama top over her head and let his eyes feast on her naked body beneath. Desire laced with something far stronger shown in her eyes. His head dipped to her breast and he suckled one and kneaded the other, until her juices scented the room. "Nick?" She moaned in need. "Please, I need all of you." His lips claimed hers as he buried his shaft deep within her thighs. Giving her a few minutes to adjust, he then began to move slowly within her, letting his tongue mimic his hard cock stroking her wet core. He would withdraw far enough to make her protest, only to push back inside further with each stroke. She opened her body and heart to him, letting herself feel all of the man she loved deep within her. She nipped his lips again and sucked at his blood greedily as his body pounded hers. All logic was gone to the feel of the pleasure he was creating deep within her wanton body. Each drop of his blood flooded her system with sheer sensual bliss and she wanted to feel it all. Power washed over her as her body rode his, driving them toward the edge of the abyss that would only end in darkness. Her warmth surrounded him. Her love beckoned him to open his heart and he couldn't stop. The vampire clamored for release as the man sought fulfillment that only true love could give. She began to contract around his hard shaft and screamed his name in release. Joy flooded through him as the woman he loved more than life orgasmed. Her whole body responded to his and he buried himself deep within her to feel it all. The action made her come again until she shivered in his arms with total abandon. Just one taste and he could feel it with her. The beast flared to life. He withdrew, then plunged back within her until she gasped at the pleasure he created once more. She watched the vampire overcome him and finally understood why he'd hesitated to consummate their relationship. Blood was the only answer to his release. She met him stroke for stroke as their bodies melded together as one, until she could feel the pain within him screaming for relief. "Natalie..." Nick panted between strokes as he rode the wave of passion he so long denied. "I don't want to hurt you. I..." A growl escaped his chest as she began to contract around his hard shaft once more. "Come with me, Nick!" She screamed in frustration and bit her lip. The smell of the blood took him over the edge. He sucked her lip into his mouth and plunge deep within her with his hard cock. Pure joy washed over him as he tasted the sweet blood of the woman he loved. Warmth, passion, love all rolled into one flooded his body and he responded by pouring his seed into her willing body. More, he wanted more of her, the feel of her body contracting around him, loving him totally. He retreated slowly and then drove back into her. She gasped slightly then met him with each following stroke. Her body fit his like a glove. Slowly he built the fever between them again, until she panted beneath him in need once more. "Come to me again, Natalie. I want to feel you come again. I want..." She contracted her vagina around his hard shaft, then tilted her hips upward to give him better access. The sweet friction between them and the motion drove him over the edge. He increased the pace stroking her breast with his hands, and her lips with his at the same time. He was lost to the feel of her. Closer and closer they rode the wave of pleasure together until she couldn't stand it any longer. Her body began to contract around his and he sensed it immediately. Driving hard into her again he captured her mouth with his. She was on fire with the need of him as she ground her mouth into his and sliced her tongue over his sharp fangs. Sweet blood poured into his mouth and he was lost. The man and the vampire responded together. Pumping his seed deep within her, he sucked greedily on her mouth. He needed more. He broke the kiss and started for the soft curve of her willing neck. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew something was wrong, but the sensations, the feelings and love she felt from him engulfed her in a warm safe placer that she didn't want to give up. She heard the low growl from his chest and the soft feel of his tongue on her neck. She could feel his body respond to hers as he emptied his loins inside of her, but fear danced at the edge of her mind as she came back to reality. Raw power coursed over her skin like dancing fingers of light and created even more pleasure until she caught herself sighing and moving closer to what was sure to be her death. Nick no longer fought the vampire, but gave into the emotion and love he felt from the small taste of her blood. She was his mate both in the darkness and the light and would willingly come back to him at any price. He pushed into the warmth that caressed him and wanted to possess it totally. As he licked and sucked the sweet tissue her heart pounded in his ears beckoning the vampire to taste it all. A small voice spoke softly to him, but he had to ignore it. This was his beloved Natalie and she loved him. Something in the thought made he stop. "Nick, we have to stop." She whispered as her hands tried to make him face her. The red feral eyes of the vampire greeted her. It took all her will not to pull away. This was a part of him. "Look at me, Nick. Tell me you love me enough to stop." Fear crushed his features and he jerked back away from her, throwing himself across the room. She followed immediately. "Nick, you can get control of it." She walked to his side and he turned away. "Go away, Nat. It's not safe for you to be..." She grabbed his wrists and turned him back to her. "I'm always safe with you, Nick. If you need my blood, I give it willingly, but not my soul." She raised her wrist to his mouth. "Take it, maybe it will heal us both as your blood did for me." Disbelief was written on his face along with pure need. "Take it." She coaxed softly once more. He slowly sank his fangs into her wrist and drank. Natalie closed her eyes and let all her emotions flow through her veins. He needed to know how much she loved him. How much she trusted him to stop. What she was, what she had suffered, how she felt and the faith she had in them together overwhelmed him. With each mouthful, he loved her more because now he finally understood why. She had found him, at first intriguing, then recognized the loneliness in his heart that matched her own. He filled that loneliness in a way no one ever had and she was willing to die before losing him. There was no doubt, no fear, no hesitation. He released her wrist and stared into her eyes. "I won't ever leave you, Natalie. I will love you as long as you will have me." Blue eyes now matched hers and he brought his lips gently to hers. "I promise never to hurt you again with secrets, or half truths. I will tell you anything you want to know and I only pray you will still love me when it's over. I have done so many things I'm ashamed of, so many atrocities you can't imagine." He stared into her accepting eyes and saw no doubt. "I will hold you to that, Nick Knight...tonight and every night for as long as we are together. Of course you know when you space off on me, you are going to have to tell me all the details. She waited for the meaning to sink in. He smiled, then kissed her forehead. "Only if you promise to tell me what's going on in here as well. I've never been very good with understanding the female logic." He smiled sheepishly. "Deal!" The phone rang and they both glared at it. Nick reached for it quickly. "Knight!" He almost growled into the phone. "Am I to assume I've interrupted something, Nicholas? All that emotion I'm feeling is wasted tonight. You have other commitments that have to be taken care of. We may be hunting. I will expect you here shortly...without...the good doctor." LaCroix's voice echoed the warning across the phone wires like electricity, but Nick refused to give into the threat anymore. "The community can't take the law into their own hands, LaCroix. It will only cause more damage. I want to speak with the council." "So be it, Nicholas, but we hide no more from these fanatics. You are either with us or against us and there is a price for both. You decide." The phone went dead seconds later. Nick held the receiver briefly and knew he had but one real choice. Part 5 Nick dropped Nat off at the morgue to put all the final paperwork together before she left tonight. She only needed a couple of hours at tops. He hadn't liked leaving her, but she wouldn't be alone in a building full of police, so he felt a little better. He noticed the obvious decrease in traffic around the Raven. Part of the community had gone into hiding, the others were here tonight. He stepped out of the caddy and resigned himself to go against everything he'd been taught for 800 years. Violence was not the answer here. It would only succeed in making those left behind more certain in their cause to eliminate all vampires. Nick stepped into the room and prepared to do battle if necessary. -------------- The crowd in the front room was nothing but mortals. They stood silently drinking and waiting for the outcome in the back room. Most of those present were totally unaware of what was going on, except something big was about to happen and they wanted to be part of it. Nick shook his head in disgust. No wonder willing partners were so easy to come by lately. They were all looking for a quick thrill, something to take them over the edge and out of their boredom. They all needed to get a real life. Slowly he picked his way through the small crowd trying to identify any new faces in the group. When he reached the back room, he stepped inside quietly. The voices were getting louder as he approached and were almost deafening when he closed the door. "We must hunt them down and kill them all. All their children as well. There can be no more of this. We have done nothing wrong. Our partners are willing and we don't kill for the pleasure of it anymore...at least not here in Toronto." Madra stated loudly and waited for support. Many of the vampires mumbled in agreement and began to support her words. LaCroix stood against the back wall listening intently to the numerous conversations taking place at the same time. He sensed Nicholas' arrival and began working his way across the room. "No more! We finish it tonight. I have several names in this group they call 'The Death Squad'. We will rid the community of these fanatics...tonight." A cheer rose up from the small group of younger vampires surrounding Madra. "Enough!" Arkon's voice washed over the room. The eldest of the council stood slowly and straightened his clothes. "I wish to hear from de Brabant." Arkon's cold green eyes locked on Nick as he stood silently at the door. The room fell silent as all eyes fixed on Nick's still form. The council had never interfered in the past, leaving each community to deal with the invasion and threat on their own...until now. Why was this any different? Madra was incensed as she reveled in her new power and control in the community. She turned hate filled eyes to LaCroix, who now stood behind Nicholas near the door. He hadn't objected to her little power play all evening and that intrigued her, now she knew why. The council was here to make a final determination, not anyone in the community and they would listen to what his weak willed son had to say. This was not acceptable. "I object!" She growled. "Why would the council consider anything de Brabant has to say. He does not even wish to be one of us. He is weak and spends all his time among mortals trying to be one of them." Madra stormed over to glare at Nick as she physically got ready to do battle if necessary. She attacked swiftly, but not fast enough as Nick stepped quickly to the side and caught her wrist as she went by. With a quick jerk and a slight movement, Madra was flying across the room toward the nearest wall. The force in which she hit the wall shattered not only the paneling, but the studs behind it. She hissed in anger as she tried to rise to her feet, only to find Nicholas' knee on her chest. He met her in full vampire mode and slammed her head against the floor with his hand on her throat. "You will need to be a lot older and faster, Madra, if you intend to show your ability against this weak, inconsequential 800 year old vampire." He released her neck and stood gracefully, not taking his eyes off her. "Very impressive, Nicholas. It is apparent the rumors of your abilities are not greatly exaggerated. I'm sure Madra wouldn't appreciate your total capabilities if you were not on such a restrictive diet. She might be dead." Arkon smirked at the young vampire still dazed on the floor, then turned to the group. "The council seeks the opinion of Detective Knight because he is the only one in the community that has managed to pass as one of them for such an extended period of time. He is accepted by the mortals as human and moves among them freely, so his information is less biased than anyone's here. Last but not least...this community as well as others all over the world owe him a debt after the fever epidemic along with his mortal friend, Doctor Lambert. I would hear what he has to say." Arkon returned to the chair at the far side of the room and sat royally. His power flooded the room like a slow ebbing tide until the room was once again silent. Nick walked over and knelt in front of him, lowering his eyes in homage. Arkon was ancient in comparison to LaCroix and his power could destroy them all in a blink of an eye. "The police are searching for the men responsible for the deaths. We have leads on several of them, but it will require proof to put them away. They know nothing of the deaths in the community. It is being treated as a bizarre murder by serial killers. Even cult related. If we kill them indiscriminately or the murders remain unsolved, the case will remain open and our chances of discovery are greater. We must let the police go through the process and eliminate these fanatics from our city. Violence and murder will do nothing but raise more questions and cause the community to be scrutinized. We can't afford that." Nick waited for a response from the ancient vampire. "You would have us run again and hide from these fanatics, de Brabant?" Arkon questioned calmly. "I would have us take precautions to protect ourselves and defend our homes if necessary, but going on a hunt until these men are destroyed will only draw attention to the community. I ask that you let the police catch them and brand them for what they are...murderers and fanatics, then anything they say will be considered nonsense and we will be safe once more. Arkon stared intently at LaCroix. "And you, Lucien? Do you agree with your son on this issue? You, who have lived through these fanatics, numerous times. Are you willing to let the police handle this issue and hide until it is finished?" Arkon waited skeptically and reached out with his power to the other older vampire. LaCroix had been weighing the alternatives all evening. Every fiber of his being told him to kill the assassins before they killed him, but there was too much logic in what Nicholas had said. Too many unexplained deaths would draw attention to their society and with the youth in the room giving into their anger, there would be mistakes...mistakes that could be costly to a large number of them. He was not willing to sacrifice this life for their impudence. "If you are asking if I believe the police can catch this group of fanatics before causing us any more harm? The answer is no. If you are asking if I believe Nicholas is correct in assuming that the deaths of these individuals will only create more of them. I would agree." LaCroix turned and glared at the younger contingent by Madra, then smirked. "Such naivete will only lead to more deaths among our kind before it is over. I do not intend to lose my life here in this city to overzealous amateurs bent on making a name for themselves." LaCroix turned back to Arkon and stood by Nick in a show of support. "I will do what is necessary to protect my family and myself as I always have, but I will not leave. This is my home and I intend for it to stay that way. If that means I have to wait and see if our local law enforcement can eliminate our unwanted guests first, then so be it. If they cannot, I will make sure the bodies are not found." The cold ice in his eyes left no room for doubt. "So be it! Your expertise is well known as well as your discretion." Arkon turned to Nick. Your mortal legal system has 48 hours. After that, there will be no more. Understood, de Brabant?" "As you say, Council Leader...48 hours." Nick turned and stepped out the door. -------------- "We shall give them a few more minutes. I don't think they are all there. It will be a fitting end for them. All at once...in a gigantic ball of flame!" Austin stared at the entrance to the Raven and watched several young people step through the door. "They are all dead, along with their lovers. No more...we will rid the city of all of them this night. ------------- Tracy pulled up at the curb and noticed Nick's green caddy sitting silently down the street. Nick was here. She turned to Vachon and waited for an explanation. Vachon ignored her and stepped out of the car. "Go home, Trace. Lock your doors and don't be seen anywhere near here for the next few days." Tracy stepped out of the car. "Not on your life, Vachon. Nick is here and that puts him in danger as well." She turned a quizzical eye at the dark haired Spaniard. "But you already knew that didn't you?" She rounded the car and headed for the door before Vachon could stop her. "You have no idea what your are getting into here, Trace. What I told you only touches the surface because I haven't lived through a cleansing before, but others here have. Decisions are being made tonight." The first explosion erupted on the far side of the building, followed by one on the opposite end only seconds later. -------------------- Jeremiah paced the morgue room floor as he waited. She would show up here sooner or later. The question was how much later. He should be at the Raven. They were there. He knew it. The Raven was the key place for the community. He'd found that out quite early with very little effort. All you had to do was follow the trail from the blood bank for outdated blood. When he saw the second and third invoice for outdated blood listed to the Raven, he had an answer. One night of knowing what to look for and you had the local hangout. So many times, so many cities and it was easier with each one. Was he doing the right thing? He knew they followed him and he didn't bother to hide it any longer, but Natalie would never knowingly kill people or...The outside door slammed shut from the wind and he could her footsteps in the hall. Nat tried grabbing the door to keep it from slamming hard against the wind, but was too slow. She cursed under her breath and finally headed for the lab. She would take a few supplies just to be on the safe side, finish the paperwork on the Jenkins suicide and type up the findings on the staked girl. She'd already booked a morning flight to LA. A little trip to the city of the stars might be a nice break, but her heart wasn't in it. How could she leave Nick alone right now? She pushed open the door to find Jeremiah standing by the empty autopsy table. "Good of you to finally show up." He said derogatorily. This was all too coincidental and too well timed for Nat's taste. First the murders, then the 'Death Squad' and Jeremiah showing up after all these years. What was his connection? She needed to know and so did Nick. "I didn't realize my schedule was public knowledge, Jeremiah." Nat walked calmly to her desk, removed her jacket, then sat down behind the computer. Jeremiah watched her intently. "I know Knight is one of them, Natalie, and so do they. They will come after you. They were there the other night as well as I was. Your relationship is very obvious and your car was parked in front of his loft all day. How can you stand to be near a killer like that? Why would you waste your life on a creature that will only destroy you? You are smarter than that." His eyes sought answers even though his voice was filled with accusations. Anger flashed in her eyes when she turned to speak with him. "First of all, Jeremiah, you don't have a clue about Nick or myself. You are so filled with self-righteous piety that you can't see what's in front of your face. You want to know how I can love a man who has done nothing but give his life to save others, that spends almost all his off time helping those that need help, caring whether people live or die no matter what they do for a living. A man who takes homeless people off the streets and gives them shelter in the winter, who gives money to those who need it without asking for anything in return. A man that has taken the blame for countless mistakes by his partners and friends to make things easier for them. A man that works almost every holiday so the married guys can spend time with their families. A man who is a decorated hero of the city but refuses to accept it." She looked at him filled with disgust. "You know nothing, Jeremiah, just as your friends know nothing of what they deal with. I suggest you go back to those fanatics you call friends and suffer their fate. Live with your decisions as I live with mine, but don't ever think you know anything about me or Nick...because you don't!" She slammed her notebook closed in anger. "Now get out, Jeremiah, and don't come back. You aren't welcome here." "They will kill you, Nat." He reached over to brush her hair off her neck and check for bite marks. She slapped his hand, then stood filled with rage. She had no bite marks. He stared at her neck in awe. "You were together all day. How could he not...this isn't possible." Natalie slapped him hard on the face. "You obviously don't know as much as you think. Get out, Jeremiah before I really get angry!" Sparks flew from her eyes and he was confused. This wasn't possible if he was a vampire. His mind began to churn with information. All that he read couldn't have been true. He couldn't have spent 7 years here without leaving a mark on her. He'd watched them. They were close...very close and that meant he had to be drinking from her. It's what they all do. Knight was no different...he was a killer. He watched her pick up the phone. "Security...this is Doctor Lambert. I have an unwanted visitor." When she looked up, he was gone. Part 6 ---------------- Jeremiah pulled up at the Raven just as the pretty blonde partner of Knight's stepped out of the car. The dark haired Spaniard with the pale skin screamed vampire. Jeremiah could almost feel him across the parking lot. The first explosion took him by surprise and he was out of the car by the time the second one went off. The young Spaniard threw his body over the pretty blonde detective in an effort to protect her. Jeremiah watched in surprise. Why would he do that? People started pouring out of the building from the front as the third blast shook the building. There were about 50 people running for the street as the ceiling began to collapse. He could hear the screams. Several figures flew out the back window. When Jeremiah uncovered his face from the blast, he noticed Knight picking Tracy up off the street. Another blast knocked them all to their knees and screams of terror echoed through the night as some of the survivors stared in horror. Jeremiah watched Knight tear down the damaged door and plunge back into the burning building. "Nick!" Tracy screamed as her partner plunged back into the inferno. She stared in horror as flames erupted all over the building. Vachon held her tight to keep her from chasing after her partner. Nick searched the building for heartbeats and heard only one, then a small whimper. The small dark haired girl lay trapped under a timber from the ceiling. Flames flashed before him and the vampire screamed for release from the potential death awaiting them both. Nick swallowed his fear and went straight for the girl. Tossing the heavy beam across the room like it weighed nothing; he picked up the frightened girl and headed for the entrance. He heard the creak of the timber above him and jumped backwards only seconds before another section of the roof collapsed in front of them. They were trapped both front and back. The girl screamed in horror and Nick lunged straight at the only standing wall remaining. He used his body to cover hers and threw them physically through the wall only seconds before the floor began to collapse. Tracy stared in disbelief and screamed Nick's name over and over as Vachon held her tightly. Jeremiah watched in fascination as he noted the hush over the crowd. Blood poured freely from most of them, followed by tears of joy as they hugged other members of their group that escaped. He decided they were human and approached a young girl sitting crying on the curb. "What happened? Did you see anything?" "He saved me. He saved all of us. We couldn't see...the smoke it was everywhere and he held the burning beam so it wouldn't collapse. We ran...someone was screaming...I think it was me." She said in a frail desperate whisper. "Who saved you?" Jeremiah touched her knee to bring her back to the present, trying to be patient. "The blond guy. The one that is a cop. I've seen him before. They told me he was a cop." A loud crash sounded as the side wall before them burst open and Nick and a young girl crashed to the ground in front of them. His sleeve was on fire and the girl was hysterical. Nick rolled away and peeled his jacket off tossing it away from him quickly. The smell of burnt flesh lay heavy in the air, but Nick ignored it as he did Jeremiah. He locked onto the girl's heartbeat and tried to calm her. She collapsed in his arms and Nick finally noticed the two sitting on the curb less than 10 feet away from them. "Nick!" Tracy screamed when she saw his blond head. She ran to their side. "I'm okay, Trace. Did you call an ambulance? She's got burns and a broken leg I think." He continued to check the frightened girl. Tracy pulled out her cell and began to dial. "We need an ambulance!" Quickly she gave the address and watched her partner closely. She could see the burnt cloth on his arm and smell the odor permeating the air, but Nick seemed none the worse for wear. Sirens could be heard in the distance. The girl on the curb rushed to Nick and threw her arms around him. "Thank you, thank you...You saved my life." Tears washed down her face, as her gratitude to this total stranger didn't seem enough. "You're welcome, but I think you need to sit down and wait for the ambulance. They'll be here in a second to check you out." Nick's calm voice made her feel better instantly. Jeremiah stood in disbelief. He'd never really been this close to one before without feeling them. He took a step closer and Nick turned to check on him. "Are you okay?" Nick looked him over closely and listened for anything unusual. "I'm...I'm...fine." He said after a moment. The ambulance pulled in and took over the scene. That strange prickly feeling he felt when vampires were near touched the back of his neck and he turned to see the dark haired Spaniard moving slowly away from the crowd along with several others. Knight was still in the middle of the scene administering aid wherever he could and helping the paramedics load the victims into the ambulances. A swish whizzed by his head and Jeremiah turned to see the young Spaniard crumple to the ground. A tall red-headed man stepped out of the bushes and aimed once more at the man on the ground. "No!" Jeremiah screamed. The scream caught Nick's attention as he watched the assassin take lethal aim on Vachon, who was already down on the ground. Nick's 9mm cleared his holster automatically and he fired. The bullet caught the man unaware, then pain ripped through his chest and the blood appeared on the front of his shirt. He collapsed in one motion as Tracy rushed past Nick. "Vachon!" She ran to his side and clutched his still form in her lap. "No, Vachon." Tears filled her eyes. "It's okay, Trace." Nick tried to console her. "Tracy...look at me." He finally grabbed her face and made her look into his eyes. "It's not near his heart...do you understand? He'll be alright." Tracy finally heard his words and stared at the man she loved in her arms. Nick was right. The shaft was buried in his right shoulder. She touched it and he groaned in pain. She backed off. Nick reached over and jerked the shaft in one quick motion, eliciting a scream from the young vampire's lips. Nick shoved him back to the ground and covered his mouth with his hand to keep from drawing attention to them. Tracy stared in horror at her partner, but saw no regret in his face as he quickly picked up the wounded vampire and headed toward her parked car. Finally, she ran after them. "Nick?" She said out of breath when she caught up to him. "I don't understand...you know what Vachon is?" Nick tossed Vachon in the back seat of her car before he responded. "Trace, I don't have time to explain. Take him to my place. I'll send someone over as soon as I can. Don't stay with him, just drop him off in my garage." He stared at his partner and prayed she'd quelled all the questions, because there wasn't enough time. The rest of the community may not wait now and Nat would be in danger. "Please, Trace. Just do as I ask for once. I'll explain it all to you later." "I'm not leaving him, Nick. He needs my..." "He'll drain you before he ever knows what he's done. Just take him to my loft and leave him. I'll make sure he's taken care of." Nick grabbed her arm. He stared at her and let the gold fleck his eyes. "This isn't possible...you're not...you can't be...I would have felt..." She stammered. "Tracy, life is full of mystery and deceit...and all is not what you think. Just trust me in this. I don't want you killed." He watched the first of the ambulances start to pull away and knew he didn't have much time. They would not be happy with anyone surviving, let alone most of the community. He had to make sure Nat was safe. "I've got to get to Nat, Trace. They'll go after her next." He shoved Tracy into the driver's seat and slammed the door. "Now drive, Trace. There isn't much time. ----------------- Nick ran for the car. Quickly he dispatched a message to the precinct and asked them to make sure Doctor Lambert was not alone in the morgue. "She's here in the precinct, Nick. You want her?" Karen said calmly. "Just tell her I'm on my way and not to leave until I get there." He signed off and tossed the microphone on the floor. "They'll go after her, to get to you." Jeremiah said with remorse. "What are you? You aren't like the rest of them. I can't feel you?" Anger flashed across Nick's expression. In the blink of an eye he had Jeremiah pinned against the nearest tree. "Where are they?" He held him by the throat, but didn't squeeze. "I...I...don't know. I never know. I just know they follow me. I can feel them and all the vampires...and...and they know it. They avoid me, but follow whereever I go...I didn't mean for them to hurt anyone...I thought you were animals...like the others...I'm sorry...I didn't know." Nick reined in his anger and tossed Jeremiah on the ground. "You disgust me. You want to kill anything you can't understand. Well guess what? If what I am makes me an animal for killing to survive, then what does that make you?" Nick leaped into the air leaving the caddy still sitting at the curb. Without hesitation, Jeremiah jumped behind the wheel and took off after him. Part 7 Nat listened to the report over the police dispatch. She paced the floor in front of Nick's desk. Everything was happening too fast. She wasn't leaving now no matter what Nick said. She'd straighten him out as soon as he arrived. No way was she leaving him to deal with these fanatics and the council without her help. Nick virtually flew into the precinct. When his blond head swept passed the Captain's office, she ran into his arms and wrapped herself around him. She could smell the smoke and see the damage on his sleeve. Instinct and lots of practice told her she'd find healed skin underneath now, but it must have hurt earlier. The feel of his arms around her made her relax. "I thought...I was so scared...." She pulled her head off his shoulder to stare into tired eyes. "I've got to get you out of here, Nat...now. They are coming after everyone in the community and you will be high on their list. Your friend Jeremiah has seen to that." Nick started to pull her toward the door. "Jeremiah...he's one of them?" She asked incredulously. "He's a coward. He could never do anything like bomb the Raven." "I'm sorry, Natalie, but Knight it right...sort of. I didn't place the bomb, but I knew they would follow me. They always follow me because they know I can feel them." Jeremiah looked around the squad room and said softly. "I mean...I feel vampires and they come and destroy them." A great sadness filled with something she couldn't put her finger on, etched itself into the hard planes of his face. "They will come for you next, because I've been seen with you and so has Nick. They had his picture up on the computer archive. They suspect everyone and anyone who works only nights is high on their list. They will assume everything in his file is fake. They won't check it out. They don't care...just like I..." Jeremiah trailed off and Natalie recognized what she saw. Guilt overwhelmed him now. ----------------- Tracy hated leaving Vachon lying in Nick's garage floor. She waited until he began to gain consciousness. When he reached for her throat, she slapped his hand away and flashed her cross in his face. As he turned away, she fled out the side door. A blonde woman carrying a box stepped out of the shadows. "Ah..." Trace stammered as she slammed the door and hit the lock code, just before Vachon launched himself at the metal door. "I'm sorry you startled me." Tracy looked embarrassed, but kept her back to the door. "Nick sent me. I have the supplies Vachon will need. You had better split before I unlock the door or you might be first choice." Tracey nodded and headed for her car. Minutes later she pulled into the parking lot and parked by Nick's car. At least Nick made it back in one piece. He'd better be prepared to talk. She wanted answers now. A twig snapped, but she turned too late. A large 9mm was jammed into her ribs and her arm twisted behind her back. "Now blondie, we are going to take a little walk into the precinct and I'm going to kill your partner, but only after I have wasted his girlfriend and exposed him to the world. When I'm done with them, I'm going to finish with you and your boyfriend back there at the Raven. I don't know where you took him, but I will before the night is over...I promise." He twisted her arm until it almost snapped, then pushed her ahead of him. Austin let his anger have free reign and his silent partner followed close behind. With Arnie dead, they had to have an edge...and the lady cop was it. ------------------- Anger flashed in Nat's eyes briefly then was quickly replaced with pity. Jeremiah was always self-centered and she shouldn't feel sorry for him now, but part of her did. A loud crash and the front door of the squad room burst open. A dark haired man wired with explosives and armed with a crossbow pushed Tracy into the room. "Now everybody remain calm and I'll only kill a few of you." He laughed at his own sick humor. His cohort entered behind them carrying a machine gun in one hand and a stake in the other. The evil gleam in his eye was enough to frighten even the diehards in the room to step back and reconsider. He, too, was wired with explosives around his chest. They were truly willing to die to accomplish their mission. Nick pushed Nat behind him as the Captain tried to take control. "Now just calm down. We can get to the bottom of this. There's no need for anyone to get hurt. Why don't you just tell us what you need and we'll see what we can work out." Reese took a couple of steps forward and the man turned his anger on him full force. "What we want is for you crazy people to wake up and see the killers among you. But you are all too stupid. You even hire one to solve murders. Now that's ironic...a killer finding killers." Austin pushed Tracy away from him. Nick caught her before she hit the ground. "That's right, Knight. Take care of the blood supply. I'm sure she's real tasty." Reese moved toward Austin causing him to turn and fire directly at the Captain's heart. The crossbow arrow zipped across the room toward the Captain. Only the rustle of the wind could be heard as Nick threw himself in front of the shaft to protect Reese. A dull thud was heard as the wooden shaft embedded itself in Nick's left shoulder over his heart. Natalie screamed as Nick tumbled to the floor. He'd pushed the Captain out of harms way by covering his body with his own. Nick tried to stand, but collapsed when a sharp hot knife ripped through his body. Nick grabbed for the stake in vain as Austin towered over him and waited with great anticipation. "Go ahead, Knight. Change...I want to see your fangs before you die." He slammed his foot onto the arrow and snapped the top of it off. Nick screamed in agony. Reese had finally regained his footing and started to help his best detective. A machine gun was shoved into his gut as Austin's partner glared eye to eye with the Captain. "Back off or I kill everyone in the room!" He growled through tight lips. Insanity flashed behind his eyes as his finger itched to pull the trigger. Reese finally stepped back as Nick screamed the second time. Austin smashed his foot directly over the arrow and stepped with most of his body weight over the shaft. Blood poured freely from Nick's shoulder and pooled below him. "Show me...Damn you, Knight!" He knelt down beside Nick's prone body and prepared to place another arrow next to the one already embedded in his shoulder. "You're insane!" Nick growled between breaths and struggled to gain control. His eyes drifted to Natalie being held back by Jeremiah. Tracy eyed the man with the machine gun closely, looking for an opening. "Let them go! It's me you want. I'll do what ever you want, if you let them go." Nick panted as he felt his life bleeding away. The arrow touched his heart and with each motion it moved closer to its goal. "No!" Austin screamed in frustration. "I want witnesses...They all must know what kind of monster they've been hiding!" He grabbed the short end of the arrow and pushed hard, embedding it deeper within Nick's heart. A scream filled with agony tore from Nick's lips, but he refused to give into his beast. He had to create doubt. It was their only chance. With every ounce of control and energy his failing body possessed, he pushed Austin away. He struggled to sit and growled in anger. "You're a fool as well as an idiot. You need to stop reading all those Anne Rice novels and check into reality for a switch." Austin watched in dismay. There was no way he wouldn't have changed. None of them had that much control. "Look at him closely, Austin. " Jeremiah yelled. "Reach out with what you feel. Can you feel him? You're wrong...he's not one of them. You're killing an innocent man. What does that make you?" Jeremiah walked over to the confused man. "Look around you, Austin. Are you willing to become worse than what they have ever been trying to prove they exist? Look at him. He bleeds, he's in pain, but his eyes don't glow, his teeth are just like yours and mine." Jeremiah knelt down beside Nick and touched his shoulder. Nick winced in pain as he fought for control. "We wait until dawn. If he doesn't fry in the sun, then I'll let them go." Austin went to the window for the first time and opened the shade. "It will be dawn in less than 10 minutes." "Let them go. I'll walk directly into the sun, if that's what you want...but let them out of here." Nick whispered between ragged breaths. "They can't help you. It will only make things worse if something happens to them. Killing me is one thing, but the crown will hunt you forever if you kill all these innocent people." Nick concentrated with every word. Each breath was torture and his power to control his beast waned as his blood poured freely onto the floor. "He's right, Austin. Let the others go and wait until sunrise. But you've got to let us help him or he won't last that long and you'll never know. That's what you want, isn't it?" Jeremiah questioned softly trying not to upset the deranged man wired with explosives. Austin turned to Tracy and glared at her in anger. She knows they exist. She stays. His girlfriend stays and dies with him if he starts to burn. The rest of them can get out of here. I don't want people saying we killed innocents. That's not what the Death Squad is about. We protect the innocent by cleansing our society of evil. It's our job." He turned concerned eyes at the Captain. "You understand that, don't you, Captain?" "Let us all go Austin. I'll talk to the magistrate. We'll get you help." Reese reached to touch the confused man in front of him. Austin stepped back and punched the button on his belt. "No! I just activated it. Anyone touches me and the timer starts. Do you understand me?" He screamed insanely. "Get out, Captain. Take the others with you. It will be alright." Nick managed to whisper raggedly between breaths. His eyes locked with the Captain's, looking for understanding. "All right, Nick, but after dawn we get you out of here." Reese motioned for the others to leave. Austin and his partner watched them file out slowly. Tracy crept a little closer until Austin turned in anger. "Don't think this is my first campaign, blondie! Get over there! We wait." "Let me help him." Natalie said calmly. "He won't last until dawn at the rate he's losing blood. I'm a doctor." She tried to keep her professional mask in place and push her fear behind it. Austin stepped back and gave her access to Nick. She rushed to his side. Pain filled blue eyes met hers. It was sapping his strength and he was on the edge of control. If he lost it now, they were all dead. "Stay with me, Nick." She checked the wound carefully, trying not to cause him any more pain. "It's touching my heart, Nat." He whispered sadly and met her eyes. She pulled him into her arms and buried his head in her hair. "You can't lose it now, Nick. Drink my blood. It's the only answer." She whispered into his ear as she held him in her arms. "No...I...can't..." He gasped and tried to pull away, but she wouldn't let him. "I love you Nick. I can't live without you and they aren't going to let us walk out of here if you turn vamp on them or start to fry in the sun. We need you, Nick." She pulled his head back to her neck and let her hair cover them both. "Do it for us." The pain was becoming unbearable and his control was non existent. Without blood he wouldn't survive the sunrise and he knew it, but could he stop? He didn't have any other options and she was right. Carefully, he slid his fangs into her soft neck and began to drink. Austin had turned his attention to Tracy now. He analyzed her closely. "And how many times has that boyfriend of yours dined on your wares?" He reached over to pull open her collar. Tracy slapped his hand away. Sweet ambrosia flooded his tastebuds and he wanted more. Natalie's blood eased the pain and calmed his soul. Her strength and love washed over him and his body craved more. Pain was replaced with pleasure as he sucked harder and her memories began to flood his mind. Their first night together, the fun with Schanke, the slow building of someone to accept her, love her for just who she was. Somewhere along the line, she'd fallen in love with him and thought she wasn't good enough. He pushed back with images of what he felt, how much he wanted to be with her, love her. How much he treasured her friendship and her unconditional love. He wanted to take the doubt away, make her one with him. She wasn't afraid, so he drank deeper. Images flooded her mind and she let them wrap her in a serene feeling of contentment and happiness. He loved her and wanted her with him. She felt him reach deep inside and pull her toward him. It was so tempting, so easy to give into it. Her whole body wanted to be a part of him, but something in the back of her mind kept trying to surface. Grabbing a hold of the thought, she took one finger and pushed hard on the arrow embedded in his shoulder and heart. He winced, but continued to draw deeply at her neck sucking her precious love and life into his. Another push and he released her with a scream of torment as the arrow pushed through his back. Jeremiah watched in fascination from the side and saw only a flash of fang and golden eyes, before she pulled his limp form back to her shoulder. The arrow tip was now protruding out of his back. She tried to remove it, while she balanced his now unconscious form on her shoulder. Jeremiah moved quickly to her side, grabbed the arrow and jerked it free. Nick only groaned softly as the arrow tore free from the tissue. Natalie's bright blues eyes met Jeremiah's and she smiled. "I'll need something to stop the bleeding. She applied pressure with her hand on the exit wound. Nick's cool blood pumped slowly over her fingers, but she didn't notice. The sun had risen and edged slowly across the floor. Austin laughed hysterically. "The time is now!" He strode across the room and tore Natalie away from Nick. Nick slumped to the floor in his own blood as Austin hauled her to her feet by her hair. Jerking her head back he noticed the fang marks. "Bitch! Whore!" He slapped her hard knocking her to her feet. "I knew it! You watch him die and then I stake you myself!" Tracy lunged at Austin as Carl swung the machine gun toward Nick on the floor. Jeremiah froze in place, terrified as he watched the whole scene unfold before him. One minute the gun was aimed at Knight slumped on the floor, the next it was across the room as Nick tossed the man easily through the window. Austin regained his footing and scrambled for his crossbow that had slid across the floor from the force of Tracy's body. Nick stumbled to one knee as he watched Natalie reach and grab the crossbow from his grasp. "Bitch!" Austin screamed in anger. "You will all die!" He pushed a button on his belt, then ran toward the wall to initiate the explosive strapped to his body without waiting for the timer to tick down. With super human effort, Nick stuck his leg and tripped him, catching him only inches before he struck the floor. Austin felt himself falling, then cold arms locking around him to prevent the crash to the floor. He struggled in an effort to free himself, then noticed the timer ticking away. Unable to hold him in his weakened state, Nick stumbled to his knees and lost his grip. Austin began laughing hysterically and reached for Nick panting and bleeding on the floor beside him. "You first, bloodsucker!" Nat swung the crossbow with her entire weight behind it. The main frame of the unit caught Austin on the side of the head. He began to fall and Natalie realized her mistake. Jeremiah appeared from nowhere and caught Austin's limp form seconds before he crashed to the floor and detonated the explosives. "Get out! The timer is set." Nick stared at the 30 seconds ticking down on the timer. He gasped for breath and collapsed to the floor beside Austin. "Not without you!" Nat grabbed one side of Nick's prone body and struggled to lift him. Tracy and Jeremiah grabbed the other side and his legs, then lumbered to the back door as the timer reached 15 seconds. Bright sunshine glowed through the window as they struggled with Nick's limp form between the three of him. Wisps of smoke trailed off Nick's black silk shirt as the sunlight touched his skin. "He'll fry, Nat!" Tracy said panicked. "No choice, Trace. Head for your car. It's the closest!" Natalie screamed as she threw open the door and plunged them all out into the sunlight. Nick screamed in agony as the sun touched his exposed skin, but they continued on. The police barricade was back farther than the cars with the threat of the explosion. In what seems like an eternity, they reached Tracy's car just as the explosion rocked the building. Totally unconcerned with what was behind them, the three of them shoved Nick into Tracy's back seat. "Cover his face and hands." Nat shouted over the den of noise from the second explosion that rocked the building as the gas furnaces began to explode. "Drive, Trace! Get us to Nick's loft! Go!" She threw her body over Nick's trying to protect his exposed skin from the sunlight. Tracy peeled rubber as the car bolted past the barricade and the growing crowd. Jeremiah shoved his jacket over one window and rolled it up. Tearing his shirt off, he covered the other, then lay his body over Nick's legs to prevent the sunlight from the front of the car. Nick groaned in pain as Nat tried to soothe him. His body smoldered and began to blister as the harsh morning sun bore through the front windshield. Tracy drove like a madman. "It's okay, Nick. Stay with me." Nat covered his face and pushed his hands up under her jacket. Her hair covered his and she said a silent prayer as she felt the tremors begin throughout his body. "Hurry, Trace! We're losing him!" Her voice broke as the tears flooded her face. "Stay with me, Nick. I love you. Don't quit on us now." She whispered and Jeremiah's heart broke. They pulled in front of the loft and Tracy ran for the access panel to the right of the garage. She punched the code she used earlier for dropping off Vachon and the doors slid silently open. Dashing back to the car, she pulled the car into the garage and bolted for the buttons on the wall. As the garage door slipped into place and blocked out the sun, she jerked the back door of the car open. The smell of burning flesh rocked her and Jeremiah stepped out first. Tracy reached for Nick's legs and he screamed. His body was still burning. "We've got to get him upstairs, Nat." Tracy saw more than she wanted to see in her friend's eyes. The three of them managed to pull him out of the back seat. Each motion was torture to his battered body. They rode in silence up the lift as they tried to balance Nick between them with the least amount of pain. Four or five steps into the loft, they stumbled. "Nat!" Nick yelled as his body convulsed in pain on the floor. Part 8 "I'm right here, Nick. I'm going to get you blood." She ran to the refrigerator to find it empty. Several empty bottles and all Nick's reserves from the freezer lay undeniably empty in the trash. Only then did she remember Vachon. Grabbing a knife from the butcher block on the counter, she sliced her wrist and ran back to his side. She shoved her wrist to his lips. He began to suck slowly, then with more force as the vampire took over with the will to survive at any cost. "You have to go the morgue, Tracy. Tell Jill I need all the blood and plasma we've got." Tracy stared at the petite auburn haired woman in front of her. This couldn't be happening. Nick was a vampire all this time and Natalie knew about it. She shook her head to clear the fog and confusion and tried to focus on her words. "Morgue, right." Tracy stared at Nat, then at her bleeding wrist. "Don't let him..." "He's too weak, Trace. Just hurry. If he heals enough or I lose control, I'll be working nights permanently. Hurry...he's losing ground and I need to get large quantities of blood in him for him to survive." Tracy left without a word and Jeremiah stared in awe at the woman he once knew. She was filled with passion and love for a man not a creature, as he'd once thought. Maybe he'd been wrong about a lot of things. He watched her caress Nick's forehead as he suckled weakly at her wrist then stopped all together. She was right. He was losing ground and even his increased metabolism couldn't compensate for a stake to the heart and sunlight that close together. He was losing the battle and she knew it. "Let's get him upstairs, Natalie. Maybe we can find a way to get him to take more blood somehow." Jeremiah picked Nick's now unconscious form up and threw him over his shoulder. A few minutes later they laid him down gently on his own silk sheets. His shoulder was bleeding freely again and the burns on his face and hands were blistering horribly. Tears streaked Nat's face as she sat by Nick's side and held his hand in hers tenderly. "There has to be a way even without my medical bag." She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax. In what seemed like only a minute, she bolted from the bed and ran down the steps. Minutes later, she returned carrying several things from the kitchen and the bathroom. In her hands she carried several ziplock bags, rubber bands, a sharp knife and a straw. Quickly she tore Nick's shirt open and sliced his stomach. Inserting the straw through the muscle, she then took needle and thread and stitched the tissue tight around it. Nick neither moaned nor moved with the incision and that worried her more. She secured the ziplock bag to the straw with rubber bands, then blew the bag open. Finally she put a tourniquet around her left arm made from her belt and tightened up. She grabbed the knife with her right hand, then glanced at Jeremiah. "Hold the bag open for me and if I start to nod off jerk hard on this belt, okay?" She hoped he understood. "You can't be serious, Natalie?" He stared at her incredulously. "What about infection, germs..." "He's a vampire, Jeremiah...sunlight and stakes...remember? I thought you were up to date on them. She started to slice her wrist and his hand clamped over hers. "Nat, you can't. If you donate more blood to him this soon, he'll become addicted to the taste. You won't be safe." He stared at Nick's still form. "I was wrong, Nat. He isn't an animal, but he will be if you do this. Is that what you want? Can you leave him if he survives?" "I love him, Jeremiah, and nothing will ever change that. He won't last until Tracy gets back here with supplies. You know that as well as I do. There is no other choice." "Use my blood then." Jeremiah shoved his arm in front of her face. "I can't, Jeremiah. If you are like the others Nick described, your blood is poison to him. This is the only way. He and I will figure out what do together. We promised each other no more one sided decisions and no more secrets." She sliced her arm deeply through the vein in her wrist, then released the belt and let the blood flow into the bag and down the straw into Nick's stomach. She watched the bag fill with her blood and run down the straw in fascination. Her life flowing into his maybe as it was always meant to. He moaned softly and both Jeremiah and Natalie watched the blisters begin to fade. The last thing she remembered was the cold sweeping over her body as she was claimed by the darkness. ------------ Vachon, Arielle, and Tracy entered the room. Jeremiah periodically would open the belt slightly to let the blood flow through Natalie's arm. He's started to call 911 a half dozen times, only to stop in the middle and slam the receiver down onto the cradle. How would he explain this? What would they do with Nick? It would only make things worse. He started in surprise as the three burst into the room filled with supplies. Vachon was sure Arielle's nursing talents would be needed. The fact that she was a vampire as well made her a perfect choice for Knight and the Doc. She quickly removed the make shift tourniquet and checked Nat's wrist. Tightening it back up again, she turned her attention to Nick. She pulled the straw out and replaced it with a large needle. Quickly, she hung a unit of plasma over the bedpost and turned to Tracy. "You squeeze on the bag to keep the blood flow going." She stared at Vachon. "You be ready to hold him down when he comes too. I've got to stitch the Doctor up." Quickly she pulled her suture kit out from the medical bag and started to work on Natalie. When she finished, she inserted an IV into her arm and attached a unit of O negative to the line. They could only wait and see now. -------------- Tracy stared at Natalie lying peacefully in Nick's arms. They were right together. You could feel it. Vachon had left after Nick passed out the second time. He'd consumed over 18 units of blood by voluntary and involuntary means. The wound over his heart had begun to heal and the blisters on his perfect skin were now gone. Nat's color had returned after only two units of blood and she refused to go to the hospital. Only together could you keep them still. Now they rested in the deep slumber of a healing sleep. "They look right together, don't they?" Jeremiah stated calmly. "They've always been right together. They just never would give into it." Tracy smirked with a sad smile. "We even had bets on how long it would take them to figure it out. We just didn't know all the obstacles." "You didn't know he was a vampire?" Jeremiah said, already knowing the answer. She turned sad blue eyes to him. "You'd think I would have spotted it, wouldn't you? But Nick is different. The evil you feel around so many of them isn't there and I've watched him risk everything for people he didn't even know just because it was right. I've always admired that." She turned and stared at the window forlornly, then finally turned back to Nick lying on the bed. "I wish..." she hesitated. "I just wish he would have trusted me enough to tell me." She couldn't hide the hurt in her voice. "Then you would have been more curious." Vachon's light Spanish accent filtered across the room. Tracy turned in surprise. "You were seeing vampires everywhere as it was. What would you have done to find out your partner and hero of the city was an 800 year old creature of the night, who hates what he is?" Vachon walked over to the bed and stared at Nick's lithe form, then turned back to Tracy. "You're right when you said he is different and it's cost him much more than you know. His relationships with the Doc and you have put him at risk, not only from mortals, but some of his own kind. I don't understand him a great deal of the time, but I'm learning that self gratification comes in many ways." Vachon held his head in shame and stared at the floor, then finally met her eyes. "He made me stay and deal with the Inca and protect you. I was ready to run again, just as I had for 400 years, but he wouldn't let me. At first I stayed because he scared the crap out of me. He promised to hunt me into the ground and personally stake me. Then I realized how good it felt to do something right and have people look up to me, respect me for doing the right thing...then there was you." He waited for the meaning to sink in and she smiled. "I'm glad you stayed, Vachon, for whatever reason." Nick began to moan softly and thrash in the bed. Vachon grabbed a bottle by the bedside and shoved it to Nick's lips when they opened. Nick pushed it away. "No," he said weakly. "I need something else." He closed his eyes and warred with himself, then pulled Natalie closer into his embrace. When he opened his eyes again, the feral red glow of the vampire greeted them and he pulled Nat's hair aside as he moved her closer. "No, Nick!" Tracy screamed. Vachon tried to pull Nick away from his desired target, but Nick's advanced age over the younger vampire, even in his weakened state, created a problem. "Let me go, Vachon!" He hissed and let some of his power leak over the younger vampire, but Vachon refused to release him and pushed hard, slamming his still sore shoulder into the hard surface of the headboard. "Get control of it, Knight!" Vachon growled in return. "She was willing to die for you. How far are you willing to go? What was in her blood that she so willingly gave you?" The words were like ice and Nick flung himself from the bed to the far side of the room and slumped against the wall. He used every ounce of control he ever possessed to fight the burning desires flaming through his body. He had enough of her blood to know her love was complete. She would come back for him because she loved him, but her soul cried out for a child created in love. One they could love together. He closed his eyes and pushed into that feeling of warmth and safety her love created inside him and once again the man had control of the beast. When he opened his eyes, only the blue remained and unshed blood tears. "What have we done, Natalie?" His voice cracked in pain filled with despair. The burning need racing through his body was now enhanced by the ache in his heart. His battered body gasped for breath as he stared at the woman he loved across the room. Jeremiah knelt down by the tortured man on the floor and shoved the needle into his arm. "This should help with the pain." Vachon turned questioning eyes toward him. "Nothing will help. I'll never be able to hold her again." Nick said weakly as the curare began to work into his system. "Now I know what Hell is..." Blood tears began to fall from his eyes as he stared at Natalie on the bed. Finally, the curare did its job and he willingly slid into the darkness and slumped into Vachon's arms. Jeremiah touched Tracy's shoulder. "We need to get her out of here. It's going to be worse when she's awake. They need some distance or he's going to lose control and drain her." Jeremiah picked Natalie up and headed for the car. Tracy's heart ripped in two as she watched her partner fight his body and his heart even in his sleep, then she ran after Jeremiah. ------------ Filtered sounds began to creep into his mind as LaCroix began to adjust to his new surroundings. The pain was now gone leaving only a brief recollection of the smoke and flames that had engulfed them from the explosion. He awoke to a room lit only by candlelight, then the power washed over him. "It would appear you have recovered, my old friend." Arkon sat down on the bed beside LaCroix and studied him closely. After a few seconds, he handed LaCroix the bottle in his hand, then rose gracefully from the bed and headed for the fireplace. He stoked the wood timbers with the familiarity of many years of practice. LaCroix drank the blood in two swallows and let the healing fluid do its work in his body. Arkon turned his attention back to the injured vampire. "I see that your son was not as fortunate." Arkon picked up the morning paper and dropped it on LaCroix's lap. The headlines detailed the destruction of the Raven and the bombing at the precinct with Detective Knight, Doctor Lambert, and Detective Vetter all missing. Both assailants were lost in the explosion, labeled fanatics and murders, as well as blamed for all the recent killings in the city. "It is fortunate that he destroyed the fanatics in the process or the council would have insisted you pay the penalty. I would have hated to repay my debt only to have to kill you, but it seems fate has intervened once more on your behalf. Then again, Nicholas was right all along. The community would have been in his debt once more. Pity you never could control him. He had such potential coupled with his inner strength. The council was looking forward to the outcome between you. Anger flushed LaCroix's face as he rose slowly only to be crushed by a wall of pain. LaCroix moaned in agony as the burning flames tore through his body and he collapsed to his knees before he could shut down the link. Arkon smiled. "Then again, it would appear we might find out after all." Laughter filled the room as the ancient vampire faded into the shadows and disappeared. Part 9 -------------- "I don't understand." Tracy placed a blanket around Natalie as they tucked her in the backseat of Tracy's car. "What is going on?" "His body physically craves hers. That's what a vampire does. He takes you into his body and you become one with him until it kills you. Those of them that sip often from the same source eventually kill them or if they are lucky bring them across." Jeremiah hid his eyes and busied himself with the window to avoid eye contact. "How do you know this, Jeremiah? What makes you such an authority?" Tracy barred his path of retreat with her arm. She would have the answers now. "Let's just say it's first hand knowledge." He tried to move, but she refused to budge. When his eyes met hers, she saw raw naked pain. She gasped. "Tell me about it. I have to know. I want to understand." She whispered, then dropped her arm. Force would never make him tell her what she needed to know. He walked around the car and got into the driver's seat. Tracy sat down in the passenger's side. "Please, Jeremiah. Maybe it will help them." He took a deep breath and leaned his head back against the headrest. "It was 8 years ago. I had gone into a bar looking for a little company. I was bored with the social set that sought only my money and wanted something different. So I went to the rather questionable side of town in Chicago. I drank for several hours just watching the patrons and noticing the little differences among a good number of them. I thought they were all friends, but after closer evaluation you could feel the cold indifference they exuded...Then I saw her. She was magnificent. Her skin was pure alabaster white with eyes so dark you could get lost in them. We made eye contact and it was over. Her name was Clarice. That night she took me home and told me she was a vampire. I laughed and thought. So I told her to bite me." He turned frightened eyes toward the blond detective next to him. "She did and it was wonderful. Never in my life had I felt anything like it. At first she just took a little, then as our relationship progressed she kept taking more. Each time was better than the last. Finally, I started getting glimpses of her life in the transfer. It was the most erotic thing you could ever experience and live to tell about." "I felt warm, safe, loved and protected...all the things we mortals cherish. She promised me eternity and I believed her until the images became brighter and the evil within her began to seep through in the exchange." "Finally, she'd played enough and decided to end it all. I couldn't resist her call anymore than she could deny herself my blood. She said her body craved a union with mine, that only my blood would stop her pain. Once again, she promised to make me one with her. Until I felt my life draining away, did I see the real images of her life. They flashed with pure hatred of mortals, men in general, and evil washed through my entire body...but I still wanted more. I wanted eternity to see the world unfold, to never age. I was a selfish as she was, then I felt her anger. She lashed out at me when she tasted my real reason for being with her. In a fit of rage she tossed me on the pavement." "Laughing hysterically, she kicked my limp body then hissed in my face. 'You actually believed I would want a weak willed pathetic creature like you by my side for eternity?' I was too weak to do much resisting, but I was ready. I placed my hand over her heart and flexed my wrist. The wooden shaft I'd prepared in the wrist sheath plunged into her heart." Jeremiah sat up straight now as he spoke. "I can hear screams sometimes even now when I close my eyes." "After that I could feel them. Until then, I'd never believed in the supernatural and I was filled with hatred. She'd used me as a sex plaything and I resented it, so I sought out others. It was easy the first time, because I could feel them...day or night. Anytime I was close to one of them, I would get this tingling sensations in my blood like I was part of them. At first it scared me, then I decided to rid the world of them. I started tracking them. One day after I'd found where several of them slept. I got ready to plunge a stake into the still form of one of them as he slept, but I couldn't do it. Something inside me refused to take the final step." He turned sad eyes toward Tracy. "I guess I'm a coward. So I ran away. The next day I went back to try again and found 3 of them staked where they slept. I ran! The next day, I read in the paper they'd found a burnt out building where I'd left the bodies. The next town, it happened again. I knew by then I was being followed, but I didn't care. They were animals, users, leeches on society. The world was better off without them and this way I didn't have to do the dirty work. It was the perfect solution until they started killing the young men and woman along with the vampires. I got scared and was going to go to the police but I was already in too deep, so I decided to run. That's why I came here, but they came too." Guilt washed over his face. "I really thought they were all like her...I'd convinced myself they were all evil...I wasn't willing..." "To believe they could be anything but killers?" Tracy finished the sentence for him. Natalie moaned behind them and they both turned. "Natalie is the kindest person I've ever known. She could never love a killer." "Tracy, Nick is 800 years old! There were not such things as blood banks back in the crusades. He is a..." "I don't care what he was, Jeremiah. I know what he is now. I've watched him risk his life for people that didn't deserve it. He's taken a bullet for many others and me, now that I understand what has been going on. I always thought it was his ego that made him go in first, but it wasn't. He was protecting me because he could survive a bullet in the chest and I couldn't. That's not a killer Jeremiah. He's saved more lives than I can count in the year that I've known him. No...I don't care what he was, nor what he did in the 13th century. I know what he is now…and so does she. There are others like him. They all aren't like Clarice." Tracy turned to the front once more. "Drive, Jeremiah, we have to get her out of here and figure out how to help them." Part 10 3 days later: Tracy walked up the stairs with dread in her heart. She didn't want to be the one to tell her. If only Nick would call her on the phone. Maybe that would be enough. But being around any mortal was stressful for him at the moment and to hear Nat's voice might be enough to send him over the edge. Tracy slipped open the door without knocking, since Nat had given her a key several days ago. "Nat?" Trace said softly as she watched her friend stand silently gazing out the window into the darkness. It tore her heart in two. It wasn't fair. They loved each other and deserved to be together. She and Vachon had researched everything, but only time and distance was the answer. How much time…no one knew. "He's leaving, isn't he, Trace?" Nat said softly as she continued to watch the traffic beneath her window. It really wasn't a question, because she already knew the answer. She could feel his pain, the need within him for her blood... even now. He was fighting it in the name of love...for her. She turned and walked over to the table and picked up the note, then the thermos sitting beside it. "Take it to him, Trace. I don't want him leaving without me being able to say goodbye. I know I can't go near him, so this is the best I can do. I want him to know how much I love him." She shoved the note and thermos into her hands. "Tell him to drink the protein shake and remember me when he loses control." She tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Okay, Nat. I'll tell him, but I really think you guys should at least talk on the phone or something." "We tried, Trace. It just makes it worse for both of us. It has to be this way. We both know it." Natalie grabbed her coat and headed for the door. "Where are you going?" "To the only place I have left...to work!" Nat shut the door quietly and walked slowly down the steps. -------------- Tracy rode the lift up in silence. She would get this over with. Maybe the note would help or maybe the protein shake. She didn't know. After all, it wasn't like he was never coming back. This was only temporary. She pushed open the lift to find Nick staring out the window just as Nat had been. The furniture was draped awaiting the owner's final turn of the light switch. "Nick?" She tried to walk slowly to give him time to adjust to her mortal heartbeat. When he turned, gold dusted his eyes and she stopped. "I brought you a note from Nat. She didn't want you to leave without being able to say goodbye." She leaned over and sat the thermos and the note on the coffee table. "She made you a protein shake for the road. She said it would be something to remember her by." Such sadness filled his eyes that she wanted to hold him, tell him it would all be better soon, but in her heart she knew it wouldn't. She might never see him again. She stood rooted to the floor, mesmerized by the gold in his eyes and his willpower to hang onto the man underneath. What was this costing him? She couldn't even imagine. "I'll miss you, Nick. I know you'll beat this. Just remember there are people here who love you. Come back to us, okay?" "Thanks, Trace. I'll remember. You'd better leave now. It isn't safe for you her. Tell Nat...tell her…I will always love her and I'm sorry." "I will, Nick. Take care of yourself and let me know where you are, even if it's by letter. People still write you know." She tried to smile, but this whole thing hurt too much. Finally, she turned and walked out the door. Nick listened to her car engine start and watched the Ford drive away. He needed to be alone when he read Nat's letter. The smell of her perfume and the scent of her shampoo lingered on the envelope and his body reacted. He pulled a flask from his pocket and drank heavily. The blood eased some of the pain, but the dull ache and need for something he couldn't have still coursed through his very soul. Slowly he picked up the envelope, let the scent drift into his mind and remembered their one night together. The vampire responded immediately as his fangs dropped and his eyes flamed red. "No! I can't!" Nick screamed in frustration as the desire to fly to her side and drain her overwhelmed him. He collapsed to the floor in agony and clutched the letter to his chest. Finally, he had enough control to catch his breath and he tore open the letter. My Dearest Love: I've always wanted to call you that. It's sad that I can't say that to you face to face, so you would know how true it is. I wish I could say I agree with your leaving, for I'd rather spend eternity in darkness with you than one day in the sun without you...but I know what you fear. In my dreams sometimes I fear it as well, for I was truly alone until I met you. Know that whatever happens that I will be waiting for you in this life or the next, because you are my heart and neither time nor space will ever change that. The past 3 days have been torture for me as I can feel the pain and need within you and I know it will not go away unless you take my blood or I am dead. So I send you the one thing that is truly eternal...my love. Be happy for both of us. I shall love you forever! Natalie Blood tears coursed down his cheeks as he clutched the letter to his heart. He tore open the thermos and knew instantly what it was. Reverently he brought the thermos to his lips and swallowed the sweet blood she'd left for him. Love, warmth, faith and hope were laced in every drop of it. He let it slide down the back of his throat and caress him. Slowly it filled the need that burned in his body for hers and he pushed into the essence of what she was. He relaxed for the first time in 4 days and let the images dance in his mind. Seconds later he rushed out the door. ------------ She walked silently through the park and sat down under the tree. She'd turned in her resignation at the morgue and sought out this place intentionally. It was so beautiful here. The lake lapping at the shoreline. She and Nick had spent quite a few hours walking, talking and trying to solve numerous problems they'd encountered. He always said the lake made him feel calm. She smiled and looked at the moon casting a giant shadow over the shoreline. Everything had a time and place and maybe this was as it was always meant to be. Maybe there was a lesson for everyone in this, but her fear was gone now. She was not alone and never would be again. Natalie looked at the empty bottle of pills in her hand. His pain would be gone and she would wait for him on the other side. She had faith in his ability to redeem himself. She had faith in God's ability to forgive everyone and that would be enough. The pills began to take affect and she laid her head down on the soft grass and said the Lord's Prayer, then whispered, "Forever my love! I shall wait forever!" --------- Nick landed hard and rolled as he hit the soft grass in the park. "Natalie!" He screamed in panic as he listened for her heartbeat. A slow fading heartbeat could be heard over the rhythmic lapping of the lake on the shoreline. He dashed to her side and pulled her into his arms. "No, my love. I can't let you go. You have given me my faith back, Natalie. I can stop." Quickly he planted his fangs gently into her neck and drank the love she carried for them both. Slowly her heart began to stop. The vampire craved completion, but the man loved the woman more and he released her sweet neck. She moaned with the loss of his passion that passed in the process. Quickly he sliced his wrist with his fangs and placed it over her lips. "Come back to me, my love!" An iron fist clasped his and jerked him free from her limp body. "I'm afraid not, Nicholas!" LaCroix hissed as he tossed his son on the ground away from the good doctor. Several sharp blows to Nick's still sore shoulder brought him to his knees and LaCroix pressed him to the ground still struggling. Unsatisfied with his current advantage, LaCroix straddled his son's body and cut off Nick's supply of air, but Nick still refused to stop fighting. "A love for a love, Nicholas. It is as we agreed!" He released Nick's neck, but held him forcefully to the ground. "You are in no condition to fight me, Nicholas." He waited for his son to see the futility of his efforts. "If you want to kill me, LaCroix, do it now! I swear to you if you let her die, I will walk into the sun. I am sorry about Fleur, but I can't change the past. If this is the pain you have felt for centuries, then I deserve to die for making you live without her! But if you ever loved me, you won't do this." Nick turned to Natalie, listening to her failing heart. "Please, LaCroix!" Nick begged. A sick smiled crossed his ancient face and the cold indifference he'd felt slipped easily in place. "Can you hear her dying, Nicholas? I told you once before you had to practice control, now her death will be on your head. Pity you never spent more time learning to control the baser urges." He smiled smugly. Nick lunged sideways in an effort to throw his father off balance, but LaCroix just applied more pressure to his shoulder, causing Nick to growl in frustration as the pain sapped his strength. "Stop this, Nicholas. You are mine, not hers just as you have always been. No one takes what is mine." Anger raged across the ancient vampire's face. "She may have your heart, but I have your soul. You gave it too me 8 centuries ago and I'm not ready to let it go yet." Nick screamed in anger as he listened to Natalie gasping her last breaths. Fear was etched into Nick's face, but he refused to give in. "Anything, LaCroix...name your price...Just don't do this or it will destroy me, then you will have nothing." "The price, my insolent son, is her life...and you've..." A silent swish was heard, then the tip of a wooden shaft protruded from LaCroix's chest. The ancient vampire stared in dismay as his blood began to spread over his white shirt. He hissed in anger as he snatched at the offending object and toppled off Nick's prone body. Each movement caused intense pain, then he felt strangely numb. As soon as LaCroix moved Nick scurried to Nat's side. He sliced his now healed wrist once more and pressed it to her lips. Holding her tight in his embrace he called to her. "Come back to me, Natalie. Don't leave me. Stay with me, my love. Come live with me in the darkness. Come back and love me as I love you. I can't live in this world without you. We'll find a way back together." Fear lay heavy in the pit of his stomach and he waited. "Please, Nat. It's my blood, our blood that we share. We have never been two but one, just as we were always meant to be. I've waited 800 years to find you. Don't leave me now. Please!" Slowly, she began to suck on his wrist, then more forcefully. He could feel the power of the vampire being drawn into her body, bringing her back to him. With a sigh of relief, he relaxed into the blood connection between them and let her feel the man behind the vampire as well. Jeremiah stepped from behind the tree. Nick hadn't hesitated. Natalie was his only concern, not the ancient vampire who had called him son. He stared at the older man lying still in the grass and sheathed another arrow. He could finish it right here. Nick turned to face him. "Is that one for me?" He pulled Nat safely into his arms in an effort to protect her. "It was never meant for you, Nick. It was meant for evil and I don't feel that from you." He stared at Natalie, now asleep in Nick's arms. "Is she okay?" "You mean is she alive?" A great sadness swept over Nick's face, then acceptance. "She is as I am, but we have a chance now...together. That will have to be enough." He stared at Jeremiah in hopes he could understand. "Don't let the evil touch her and it will be enough. You both can do great things with the power and strength you possess. Love is stronger than evil. Let it be your guide and all else will be inconsequential, then you will have no need to fear anything." Jeremiah smiled, then turned to LaCroix with his sheathed arrow. "Is he your father?" "My father died in the 13th century. He is my 800 year nightmare." Nick eyed LaCroix, knowing full well the wooden arrow would not kill him by itself. Jeremiah moved to Nick's side and knelt down beside him. Gently he picked up Nat's soft cool hand and laid it in Nick's. "Nightmares are best fought with sweet dreams." Jeremiah stood and walked back to LaCroix's still form. "Do you want me to dispose of him permanently or just until you get out of the country?" Nick stared at the man before him, then his downed master. Was he ready to make that step? Could this man eliminate his 800- year nightmare and let him live his life in peace with the woman he loved. Nat moaned in his arms and Nick knew the answer. Slowly, he stood and carefully ensconced Natalie in his arms. "I don't make life and death decisions anymore. I leave that up to the higher powers now, but you should know he's going to be pissed when he wakes up from the curare. I for one don't plan on being around when he does. I suggest you do likewise unless you feel really lucky." Nick carried Nat over to Jeremiah's side. "Thanks for being there and having an open mind. We are in your debt. Our door is always open to you, Jeremiah...anyplace...anytime." Nick smiled and they disappeared into the night. The End All comments to: StormyNite**nitewind@www.plantnet.com** **NN Packer to the End ** Hopelessly Hopeful Romantic** **Light Cousin***MadNatter*** X-File DieHard***Xenite**GWDFC** ****Only Love is Forever and Death Shall Have No Dominion***** >http://www.plantnet.com/~nitewind/Main.html FK SciFi Window >http://www.plantnet.com/~nitewind/Fiction2.html Stormy's Fiction